1.) Is there a difference between the IGe, IGg test and the ALCAT test?

IgE and IgG are two types of antibodies.

IgE antibodies are important in classical food allergies which are the kind that happen within seconds or minutes of being exposed to a food. Classical food allergies have nothing to do with rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic inflammatory conditions. IgE testing will not help you get over arthritis because it tests for the wrong thing.

IgG antibodies can be involved in delayed food hypersensitivites, which are the kind that are behind rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions, but they are not as clinically relevant as ALCAT testing. This is because 1) they measure exposure to certain foods and not necessarily reactivity so you get a lot of false positives and 2) there are also other inflammatory pathways that don't have anything to do with IgG that can cause delayed food hypersensitivities, so you get a lot of false negatives.

ALCAT testing measure the number and size of all the blood cells before and after exposure to a given food or chemical. Because all delayed food and chemical sensitivities results in an increase in cell size, a decrease in cell size, a increase in the number of certain types of cells and/or a decrease in the number of certain types of cells, this test 1) catches all possible type of adverse immune system reactions in the time frame being measured which is hours to days and 2) is highly relavent clinically because it is scoring only actual reactions.

Any doctor, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, naturopath, chiropractor or anyone else who can legally write a presciption, can write you a precription for the ALCAT test for the purposes having your health insurance cover the cost of the test (if you have insurance that will cover the ALCAt test.) You can then "fill" that presciption via my website.

Even if you don't have a prescription, if you would like to get the ALCAT test and you would like me to be the one who works with you with your ALCAT test results, you can order the ALCAT test through my website: http://www.ConqueringArthritis.com/alcat

If you don't have insurance coverage for the test, then there is no reason to get a presciption.

To find out if your health insurance covers the test, visit http://www.ConqueringArthritis.com/alcat and enter your email address to be automatically sent a list of questions to ask your health insurance provider.

Thank you so much for the information. Apparently, my insurance does cover this procedure. If the Dr. I am going to tomorrow doesn't facilitate the ALCAT test, I will definitely do it through you.

1.) If I do the ALCAT does that mean I do not have to do the fasting?2.) I read in your book that fasting does help with autoimmune disorders, should I still do the fasting to clean out my system? If so, is five days of fasting the minimum? If not, how many days should I do?

One of the problems with getting the ALCAT test through a regular doctor is that they usually don't have much, if any, training in how the food processing industry works. That means they are not able to do a very good job educating you about all the hidden and unexpected places these foods are hiding. The ALCAt diet only works when you are able to completely eliminate exposure to your problem foods and substances for long enough to heal. Make sure you order the test through someone who can really help you.

Anyone can look at the ALCAT test results and tell you which foods you need to avoid. However, the devil is in the details. The real trick isn't knowing what to avoid, but all the tricks for how to successfully avoid a food. Especially tricky are soy, wheat, yeast, corn, beef, and pork.

1.) If I do the ALCAT does that mean I do not have to do the fasting? Yes, with the ALCAT test, fasting become optional.

2.) I read in your book that fasting does help with autoimmune disorders, should I still do the fasting to clean out my system? If so, is five days of fasting the minimum? If not, how many days should I do? You can fast if you like, but wait until you have your ALCAT diet perfected first. That way you will get maximum benefit from your fast. You can fast as long (within reason) or as short as you want, but the benefits really start kicking in at the end of day 3. I personally like 5 day fasts.

Thank you for the information. Apparently, the Alternative medicine Doctor I saw at Whitaker Wellness Center in Newport Beach, said that fasting was not such a good idea, because it puts too much stress on the body. I still want to try fasting because I think that your methodology might work for me, especially since he never had any form of arthritis, he may not understand. I am just going to do what I think is right for my body.

They actually do administer the ALCAT test at this Wellness Center. In terms of analyzing my results and such, I do not know how well their analysis would be.

Regarding the ALCAT test results, I was wondering if you do consultations and if you take insurance?

Thank you for the information. Apparently, the Alternative medicine Doctor I saw at Whitaker Wellness Center in Newport Beach, said that fasting was not such a good idea, because it puts too much stress on the body. I still want to try fasting because I think that your methodology might work for me, especially since he never had any form of arthritis, he may not understand. I am just going to do what I think is right for my body.

Hi Stephanie, there are some conditions that would contraindicate fasting, but mostly therapeutic fasting (vegetable juice fasting, like I describe in the Conquering Arthritis book), which is easier on the body than water fasting, can be quite heathful.Barbara

Regarding the ALCAT test results, I was wondering if you do consultations and if you take insurance?

Hi Stephanie, I you purchase your ALCAT test through my website (http://www.ConqueringArthritis.com/alcat) then I am the one to do your consultation. No, my office does not take insurance. However we provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your health insurance yourself.

1.) For fasting does that include natural sugars?2.) In general, natural and brown sugars?

Natural sugars like are found in vegetables. even carrots, are okay. Fruits contain too much sugar for fasting, which is why fruit juices are not used when fasting. All refined sugar, including natural and brown sugars should be eliminated when fasting.

:)I started my fast yesterday. It is going well. It is really different from a water fast. I have always done water fasts. I am following the protocol in the book and staying close to the regiment on Page 59, forcing myself to get up at 7:30 am. So please correct me if I am doing anything that could be improved or wrong.

1. I get the enema water to 93-130 degrees Fahrenheit. This is what I use as body temperature.2. I made my first batch of broth from parsley, cilantro, carrots, celery, and beet greens. It is so good! Potatoes are a questionable food and I may have a sensitivity with them so I excluded them. 3. I juice using different concoctions. I always use some carrots and some celery. I may add 1/2 a beet, ginger root, kale, spinach or other vegetables I feel are safe. I don't use cabbage because I am not sure I have a sensitivity to it. I know it is a critical vegetable. What can I use in its place that has the same good stomach healers mentioned in your book?

Since my naturopath is all for me fasting I will be discussing with him how long to fast. I know you recommend 5 days. I will do a minimum of 7 days. Since I am under the direction of this specialist and your book talks about fasts in the Swedish Clinic being for 20-30 days, I am thinking of discussing this with him. I am wondering if I could go longer..

4. I am wondering are there any bad signs I should look for in fasting that can clue me into if I am not helping my body or if I am using a vegetable I am sensitive. Is a different area flaring up a clue?5. I also have been taught the Myofascial trigger points for my certain problems so when I have a flare up I do acupressure. It helps relieve the pain. I am recording my left wrist flare up to have the number and when they happen. My naturopath showed me where the nerve was and it goes up the side of the thumb between the thumb and first finger. So we marked where to pinpoint it. I like this idea because I seem to always have this flare up on rising. I think it will be interesting.

Do you like this idea or think it is a waste of time?

6. I know you mentioned in your book the order of doing things didn't matter. Is what you mean is finding sensitivities or fasting can be done at the same time trigger points can be dealt with?

If you have not started to feel better by day 4 on your juice fast, you have probably included something in your juice or broth that is an inflammatory trigger. If you are feeling great by day 4 then you are fine with the juice and broth components you have chosen.